Latest update from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
re: Covid-19 policies
Posted December 11: On Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued an Order for Limited Time Mitigation. Both the order from Governor Wolf and Dr. Levine include this stated exception: “Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations set forth above during religious services. These institutions are strongly encouraged to enforce physical distancing and other mitigation measures at their gatherings.” Current Archdiocesan Directives remain fully in effect, both the Directives for Advent and Christmas and Archdiocesan Guidelines for the Application of Safer At Home Restrictions in the City of Philadelphia (links below). These Directives strongly encourage physical distancing and the other mitigating measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 during the celebration of Mass. No parish is to suspend or cancel the public, in person, celebration of Mass on Sundays, Christmas and weekdays.
Please see http://archphila.org/arise/ under the ‘Announcements, Updates and Clarifications’ tab for the full details and all the links referenced. You can download the
The St. Katharine Drexel cleaning procedures and Mass/Confession schedule remains unchanged. According to your safety level, health, and personal risk tolerance we welcome you to join us for in person worship or to continue keeping the Lord’s Day holy in your own way at home.
WELCOME HOME TO ST. KATHARINE DREXEL!
Great news! Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses the weekend of June 6 and 7. We at St. Katharine Drexel looks forward to welcoming you back! Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to the in-person celebration of the Mass.
As we begin to reopen, welcome each other and recommit as a parish, please assist us in effectively communicating with ALL of you in the most efficient manner possible. Please sign up for the St. Katharine Drexel “Flocknote” messaging system by visiting https://saintkatharinedrexel.flocknote.com/ --OR-- by texting ‘SKD’ to 84576 and completing the sign-up by clicking on the link that is texted back to you.
While Delaware county remains in the Yellow Phase of statewide reopening, all of us need to do our part to make sure that our return to Mass is a peaceful and safe experience for all. Please take the time to read the instructions below. We ask everyone to follow these guidelines when attending Mass during this period:
GENERAL POINTS
o The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation continues to be lifted during the Yellow Phase. You are not required to attend Mass at this time.
o PLEASE STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK!
o Please stay home if you are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID19 [e.g. Elderly, have pre-existing breathing issues or heart problems]. If you are uncertain about your risk status, please consult your doctor and the CDC Guidelines at the link below.
o Click here to read the CDC Guidelines for those at higher risk: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html
o Mass will continue to be available via live-stream at the Cathedral on Sundays at https://vimeo.com/event/17522 and daily Mass is available from https://www.ewtn.com/resources or www.archphila.org/resources/.
MASS SCHEDULE AT ST. KATHARINE DREXEL
o Saturday – 3-3:45pm Confessions; 4pm Mass
o Sunday – 8-8:45am Confessions; 9am Mass
o Spanish: 11:30-12:15pm Confesiones; 12:15pm Misa en Español
o Monday – Friday – Daily Mass at 7:30am; Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 8-9am.
o Please check the website / social media or call the office for updates going forward.
BEFORE COMING TO MASS
o Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water.
o Before entering the Church, please put on a face mask or cloth covering. Exceptions to this are “children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, and anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face covering without assistance” (CDC Guidelines).
o Please do not come to Mass if you are sick or are at higher risk for severe illness with COVID19 (see above).
o Missalettes will not be in the pews during this period. You are welcome to bring your own missal/readings with you. You can also find the readings on your smartphone.
ENTERING THE CHURCH
o Please use only the main entrance to the church when arriving.
o Hand sanitizer will be available at the Church entrances. Please use the hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the Church.
SEATING
o When taking your seat, please honor all posted signs about where you may sit. Every third pew will be open to ensure proper social distancing.
o Members of the same household may sit together as normal. Please place 6 feet between your household and members of a different household.
o Please keep young children in the pews with you and please make room for multiple individuals in the same pew if you are sitting alone.
o Please avoid using the bathroom unless it is truly an emergency. Please do not allow children to use the bathroom unaccompanied.
DURING MASS
o There will be no collection taken up during the Offertory – instead we invite you to contribute to the collection on your way into or out of the church by using the designated box or the baskets placed by the doors for this purpose.
o There will be no Sign of Peace during Mass during the Yellow Phase.
o The Precious Blood will not be distributed during Mass during the Yellow Phase.
o There should be no holding of hands during the Our Father.
RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION
o For Communion please process up the center aisle in ONE single file line. You will return to your pews using the side aisles.
o Please remember to make use of the Sacrament of Confession before receiving Holy Communion if necessary.
o Please maintain social distancing in the Communion line.
o During the Yellow Phase, the faithful are asked to receive Holy Communion in the hand. The assisting minister will distribute Holy Communion in the hand ONLY. Anyone is free to approach this minister by following the signs as directed. If you desire to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, please approach Fr. Whittingham, who will distribute Holy Communion either in the hand or on the tongue as you desire.
o Please remove your mask before receiving Holy Communion. Please replace it afterwards as you return to your pew.
EXITING THE CHURCH
o At the conclusion of Mass, please exit the Church and proceed directly to your car. Please do not congregate for any reason. If you need to speak with a priest or a parish staff member, please call or email us ahead of time and set up an appointment.
o Please take a parish bulletin home with you. They are available on tables near all the exits of the church. If you live near parishioners who will not yet be attending Mass please take a bulletin for them as well!
o We thank you in advance for contributing to the collection as you exit (or enter) the church.
o Please leave your mask on until you exit the Church.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
St. Katharine Drexel will follow the guidelines from the CDC for sanitation as we resume public Masses.
o To view the CDC guidelines, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html
o We plan to ventilate the church as frequently as possible given the weather (either A/C use or windows open weather permitting) as well as to sanitize commonly touched places in the church (edges of the pews, door handles, railings, etc.) between Masses. If you are willing and able to assist us with this cleaning as a volunteer, please contact the office and let us know (phone or email) and we will coordinate with you. Anything that we can cover and remove we have done so already (e.g. Papers in the narthex, hymnals and missalettes are covered, bulletins are not being handed out but are available for you to take). We are doing all we can to keep you safe while simultaneously living out the mission of the Church to render a continual sacrifice of praise and adoration to God and to make the good news of salvation known to the whole world.
o If you have an observation or suggestion that might improve our shared worship in this time please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,
Fr. Thomas P. Whittingham,
Pastor.
